Transcript The Hero with a Thousand Faces

An Archetypal Story
Archetype:
A pattern, such as
a type of character
or type of story,
that is repeated in
literature.
The hero’s journey is one
of the oldest story
archetypes on the planet.
Some say it’s
older than the
Pyramids…
And Stonehenge…
And even cave
drawings.
(Vogler)
The components of
the hero’s journey
were identified
and developed by
Joseph Campbell,
who was the
world’s foremost
authority on
mythology.
In his book, The
Hero with a
Thousand Faces,
Campbell asserted
that all
storytelling
follows the ancient
patterns of myth,
and …
…that all
stories use
elements of
the Hero’s
Journey.
Campbell
called this
archetype a
Monomyth.
George Lucas, the
creator of Star
Wars, consulted
with Campbell
while writing the
scripts for the
first Star Wars
trilogy.
The function
of the story
is to
entertain,
to instruct,
and to
inspire.
The hero’s journey
is a metaphor
for life itself.
Part I:
Separation
Breaking away
from the old life
A. The Call to
Adventure
The hero is invited to
leave a mundane life
and seek adventure.
Odysseus is
called to
fight the
Trojan War
Pinocchio wants
to become a
real boy.
Dorothy wants
to leave Kansas.
B.
The Refusal of
the Call
The hero has second
thoughts; adventure
looks too risky.
Dorothy runs
back to the
farm and
Auntie Em.
A storm is
brewing.
Luke Skywalker doesn’t have time for
the adventure - he has to help his
Uncle Owen on the moisture farm.
C. Supernatural Aid
or Talisman
The hero
receives a gift
to help on the
journey.
The ruby
slippers
A
conscience
Luke receives his lightsaber
from Obi-Wan Kenobi.
D. Crossing the First
Threshold
The hero leaves
the old world
behind and enters
the new.
Dorothy is carried
away to Oz by the
tornado.
Luke Skywalker leaves his
home on Tatooine.
E. The Belly of the Whale
Like Jonah and Pinocchio,
the hero experiences the
“dark night of the soul”
and must face his faults
and the truth.
For some, the belly of the whale
experience is a situation in
which the hero feels trapped.
Luke, Han, and Leia trapped in
the garbage compactor.
Luke Skywalker trains with
Yoda in a whale-like house.
While on Yoda’s planet of Dagobah,
Luke enters a whale-like cave and
must face his own potential for evil,
which is personified by Darth Vader.
The message
is that we all
have a
shadow self
and must
deal with it
at some point
in our lives.
Part II
Initiation
During the
“Initiation” phase,
the hero learns how
to live in the new
world.
A. The Road of Trials
The hero learns
that life in the
world of
adventure can
be difficult.
B. Meeting with the Goddess or
Supernatural guide
A wise or
magical woman
gives guidance
or advice to the
hero.
C. Battle with the Dragon
The hero must
confront and
conquer a wicked
being.
D. Temptation
Someone or
something tries to
distract the hero
from his goal. For
example, Circe the
witch tries to
keep Odysseus on
her island.
E. Atonement
The hero
resolves
his/her
issues with
a parent
figure,
home land
or within
their self.
F. Apotheosis
(from Greek roots meaning “from God”)
The hero recognizes his/her
true identity - that spark of
divinity within.
I am a Jedi,
like my father
before me!
No!
But you’ve
always had the
power to
go home!
G. The Ultimate Boon
The hero succeeds in his/her mission.
Dorothy
returns to
Emerald
City with
the witch’s
broom.
G. The Ultimate Boon
The hero succeeds in his mission.
Luke
destroys
the Death
Star.
Part III.
The Return
A. Refusal of Return
The hero wonders if it’s
possible to return to the
old life.
“How can I go back?”
B. Magic Flight
Upon deciding to return
home, the hero must “flee”
from yet another danger.
(Here, “flight” refers to
fleeing, not flying, though
sometimes flying is involved.)
There’s no
place like
home.
C. Rescue from Without
The hero escapes
with a little
outside help.
“Deus ex Machina”
(God in a machine)
“Dodge
this!”
D. Crossing the
Return Threshold
Finally,
the hero
returns to
“Kansas.”
E. Mastery of Two
Worlds
The hero
realizes that
s/he can be at
home in
two worlds.
S/he is wiser
and more
confident.
F. Freedom to Live
Having faced evil
- both from
within and
without - the
hero is free from
powerlessness
and fear.
Common Mythic Elements
Like the inevitable chase scene in
action films,
this monomyth contains some
standard features.
The Young
Hero who
yearns for
adventure.
Two worlds:
The Mundane
And the
Fantastic
The
Mentor
who trains
the hero
in special
skills.
The Oracle
A wise - almost omniscient seer who guides the hero.
The Prophecy
A legend or ancient
prophecy that the hero is
expected to fulfill.
Failed Hero
The guy who
didn’t make it.
In Memory of Biggs Darklighter
Wearing the Enemy’s Skin
The hero
must disguise
himself as
the enemy.
The Shape Shifter
An archetypal
friend or
enemy with
ambiguous or
shifting
loyalties.
Why?
The monomyth of the
hero’s journey helps
us answer the most
profound questions
of the universe.
Why…
… am I here?
…is there suffering?
What…
…is the meaning of life?
Profound:
from the Latin
“profundus,” meaning
“just before the bottom”
or “at the edge of death.”
(Brennan)
“A hero is someone who
reaches the edge of death,
steals a piece of magic,
then brings the magic
home to share with his
community.” (Brennan)
We are all heroes on our separate journeys
and
our mission
is to make
the world a better place.
References
Brennan, Kristen. “Star Wars Origins.” 1999-2001.
Jitterbug Fantasia. <http://www.jitterbug.com/
orgins/myth.html> 20 Sept. 2002.
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
New York: Mythos Books, 1949.
Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey.” 2002.
Michael Weiss Productions. <http://www.mwp.com
/pages/bookswritourmore.html> 20 Sept. 2002.
Written and
produced by
Mollie Kelleher
Teacher of English
Longmont High School
St. Vrain Valley School District
Adapted and edited by
Matthew Opal
“What it Is”
Written & performed
by Mark Knopfler
Teacher of English
Silver Creek High School
St. Vrain Valley School District
MMII
“Follow
your
bliss.”
- Joseph
Campbell